Shopping cart accessory

ABSTRACT

A shopping cart accessory (10) for providing a shopper with a support structure (16) having a number of support members (20, 22, 24, 28). The support members (20, 22, 24, 28) allow a locking type attachment of the accessory on a generaly upright wire (12) or solid portion (14) of a shopping cart or on any other wire member such as found on grocery store shelves. The shopping cart accessory (10) includes an integral writing instrument support (410). The shopping cart accessory further provides for locking attachment of the accessory on to wire shopping carts having wire members with different diameters.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.159,771, filed Feb. 24, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,957.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a shopping cart or display accessoryand more particularly to a shopping cart accessory for removableattachment to either wire or plastic shopping carts, store displays orother structures having a wall portion to which the accessory can beremovably attached.

Typically, a shopping list of desired items is prepared in anticipationof a shopping trip. While at a store or stores a shopper is providedwith a shopping cart. Substantially all of the shopping carts providedby stores are either metal wire or plastic carts. A metal wire cart istypically constructed with round metal wire in a system of verticalwires and one or more horizontal wires. An upper carrying portion issupported by a lower framework usually mounted on coasters. A plasticcart is typically constructed with a plastic basket supported by a lowerframework which is also usually mounted on casters. The construction ofboth types of shopping carts is well known.

While in a store the previously prepared shopping list is referred tooften by the shopper. A convenient place is typically found on which torest the shopping list for easy and quick reference as the shopperproceeds through the store. As the shopping cart is filled with items tobe purchased it is often the case that the list must be moved about.Very often a sheet of paper on which the list is written will blow outof the shopping cart or down into the items already in the cart. Ashopper with a better memory than most might keep a shopping list in apocket only to be referred to occasionally, but for the rest of us theshopping list must be handy for quick reference. What is desired is aconvenient accessory that will hold a shopping list securely for easyreference. The accessory should also leave the shopper's hands free.Ideally, the accessory would be removably attachable to the shoppingcart and easily transportable by the shopper between home and the store.

Others have attempted to provide a solution to these and other problemsU.S. Pat. No. 3,964,134 refers to a Grocery Cart Clip Attachmentcomprising a clip adapted to removable applied to the side of thegrocery cart. U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,539 refers to an Attachment forShopping Cart for use on a shopping cart with a collapsible infant seatwhich is used in part to support the attachment in an upright andgenerally horizontal position. U.S. Pat. No. 2,888,761 refers to aDirectory and Clip Board Combination designed for attachment to ashopping cart to serve as a support for the user's papers and as adisplay panel for a store directory or other printed matter provided bythe merchant. U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,204 refers to a Clip Board for aShopping Cart for attachment to a cart for holding grocery lists. U.S.Pat. No. 3,912,291 refers to a Shopping Cart Shelf Assembly dimensionand adapted for attachment to a conventional shopping cart a U.S. Pat.No. 4,156,318 refers to an attachment for a Shopping Cart providing asubstantially flat and stable writing surface for the shopper for use ona supermarket shopping cart of the type having a collapsible infant seatpivotally connect to its rear wall. U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,567 refers to aShopping Cart Organizer for use on a shopping cart of the type having atransversely extending handle and a forwardly spaced-apart transverselyextending rod, the organizer including a substantially flat desk panelprovided with clip means on an outer surface for securement of a notepad or similar writing material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,888 refers to aStore Cart with Clipboard Item-Retention Means including a store cartwith a clipboard fixed thereto for retaining items such as discountcoupons or shopping lists used in the store and the support of theclipboard is by a loose but positive connection to the cart handle. U.S.Pat. No. 4,487,134 refers to a Portable Worktable for use with ashopping cart and includes a flat table member supportable by the sidesof the cart and positionable to substantially cover the open top of thecart and a plurality of legs for removably retaining the table member onthe cart. U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,753 refers to a Desk Attachment forShopping Cart directed to a desk apparatus attachable to a shopping cartfor providing a stable surface supported at an angle convenient forviewing or writing by the shopper. A West German Patent, No. 2716938,appears to refer to a calculator support attachable to a grocery cart.

The shopping cart accessory of the present invention solves these andother problems in a manner not disclosed in the known prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shopping cart accessory of the present invention provides a workarea that can be used by a shopper during a shopping trip. The work areacan provide means to support a calculator, a notepad, a pen or a pencilthat might be needed during the shopping trip. The shopping cartaccessory includes supporting members connected to the work area. Thesupporting members provide opposing supporting abutment against agenerally upright wall portion of a shopping cart's basket. Thesupporting members are spaced apart a first distance. The first distanceis an effective gap between the supporting members measured as if theywere opposite each other. The first distance is an effective gap betweenthe supporting members measured as if they were opposite each other. Thefirst distance should be no less in magnitude than the width of thegenerally upright wall portion of the shopping cart. The supportingmembers are spaced apart a second distance. The second distance is anactual distance between the closest points of the supporting members.The second distance should be no less in magnitude than the width of anycart structure that must pass between the supporting members in order toremovably attach the shopping cart accessory to the shopping cart. Thecantilevered weight of the shopping cart accessory tends to hold theshopping cart accessory in place on the shopping cart.

Use of the accessory of the present invention is not limited to shoppingcarts. The accessory provides a supporting surface that has other usesas well in stores and supermarkets, for example, to provide a supportsurface for displaying advertising or coupons, or both. Displays ordisplay areas often have a wall portion used to confine items in thedisplay or the wall portion may define a particular display area.Supporting members connected to the supporting surface of the accessoryprovide supporting abutment against opposing faces of the wall portion.The supporting members are spaced apart a distance that provides aneffective gap between the supporting members measured as if they wereopposite each other. This distance should be no less in magnitude thanthe distance between the opposite faces of the wall portion. Thesupporting members are spaced apart another distance equal to the actualdistance between the closest points of the supporting members. Thisother distance should be no less in magnitude than the width between anystructure that must pass between the supporting members in order toremovably attach the accessory to the wall portion. The two distancesdefined herein are equivalent to the first and second distance,respectively, described in the preceding paragraph. The cantileveredweight of the accessory tends to hold the accessory in place on the wallportion.

It is an aspect of the present invention that the shopping cartaccessory provides a work area for a shopper's convenience and useduring a shopping trip.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the shopping cartaccessory is removably attachable to a shopping cart or wall portion ofa display structure.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the accessory isgenerally mountable on either side of the upright wall portion of theshopping cart or wall portion of a display structure.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the work area orsupport surface of the accessory can be provided with either a generallyhorizontal or a sloped platform depending upon the intended use orapplication.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the accessory can beremovably attached to substantially all styles of shopping carts,thereby allowing a shopper to take the accessory from store to store foruse during a shopping trip.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the accessoryembodiment is easily carried by the shopper whether in hand, pocket orpurse.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the accessoryprovides a stable, flat platform that can support paper to be writtenon, for example, for a shopping list as the shopper moves through thestore.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the accessoryprovides for easy mounting when not in use.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the accessory "locks"on the shopping cart or display structure. This "locking" results from amulti-step movement required to attach the accessory. Once the accessoryis "locked" on it is difficult to remove by accident and must be removedin a multi-step removal movement.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the accessory can beextruded from plastic thereby providing a relatively inexpensive itemthat can be cut to a desired length to suit a particular need.

These and other aspects and features of the present invention will bebetter understood and appreciated from the following detaileddescription of embodiments thereof, selected for the purpose ofillustration and shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the shopping cartaccessory of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the embodiment of the shopping cartaccessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevation view of the embodiment of the shoppingcart accessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the shopping cartaccessory of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevation view of the embodiment of the shoppingcart accessory of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are elevation views of two additional, related,embodiments of the accessory of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial section view of the present invention; showing astorage method;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the accessory ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the embodiment of the present inventionof FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial elevation view of the embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a partial elevation view of the embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a typical series ofmovements that "lock" an accessory of the present invention on agenerally upright wall portion of a shopping cart basket or similarstructure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings and first toFIG. 1 it will be understood that a shopping cart accessory generallyindicated by reference character 10 is intended for use with a metalwire shopping cart 12, a plastic shopping cart 14 (FIG. 2), or a wallmeans, typically a wall portion 15 of a display 17 as shownschematically in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The accessory includes a work area or supporting surface provided by aplatform 16. The accessory has a generally depending and lower baseportion 18. As shown, the base portion 18 has a generally flat base 19and the accessory can be used in a flat, resting position. The platformof a preferred embodiment is provided with a plurality of dependinglegs, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, including a first leg 20, a second leg22, and a third leg 24 and a fourth leg 26. The first leg depends froman edge portion 30 of the platform 16. The fourth leg depends from anopposing edge portion 28 of the platform 16.

A pair of generally opposing support members are each connected to theplatform 16 through their common connection to intermediate structure asshown in the drawings. The supporting members 32 and 34 extend generallyoutwardly from the adjacent legs 24 and 26 and generally towards eachother.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 also includes a partially enclosedaperture 36 defined by second leg 22, third leg 24, platform 16 and baseportion 18. The first leg 20 and the generally flat base portion 19 ofthe second leg 22 define a slot 40. The fourth leg 26, supporting member32 and supporting member 34 define a slot 41. The supporting member 32and platform 16 define an opening or channel 42. In the bottom of thebase portion 18 of a preferred embodiment are two optional bottomchannels or slots (shown dashed), a first bottom channel 44 and a secondbottom channel 46 for receiving a supporting means for use in storingthe accessory as shown, for example in FIG. 7. Extending generallyupwardly from the opposing edges of platform 16 are a first sidewall 48and a second sidewall 50. A flange 49 and another flange 51 extendinwardly to define opposing grooves 49a and 51a, respectively, incooperation with the platform 16. A backing member 160 of a notepad 162can be fit into the opposing grooves as shown in the drawings. This isjust one method of affixing a notepad to the shopping cart accessory 10.For example, in lieu of the flanges 49 and 51, a spring biased clip maybe attached to the platform to hold a notepad or individual sheets ofnote paper.

Another preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and includesanother shopping cart accessory 61, shown in elevation in FIG. 4 andpartial elevation in FIG. 5. This embodiment of the present inventiongenerally includes a work area or support surface provided by platform62. A plurality of legs depend from the platform 62 including a leg 64,another leg 66, an intermediate leg 68 and an angled leg 70. The one leg64 and the intermediate leg 68 define a slot 72.

A channel 74 is defined by a supporting member 76 and the platform 62.The supporting member extends out from the leg 66 and is connected tothe platform 62 by the common connection to the leg 66. The distal endof angle leg 70 provides a supporting member portion 78.

Extending generally upwardly from the edges of the platform 62 areopposing sidewalls, a sidewall 82 and another sidewall 84. In thepreferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the sidewalls 82, 84 includeopposing grooves 86 and 88, respectively, intended to hold a notepad aspreviously described. It will be understood that a clipboard style clipcould be attached to the platform 62 to hold the notepad or sheets ofpaper.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates how the overall appearanceof the accessory of the present invention can be modified while stillproviding the structure necessary to provide cantilever support of theaccessory on the generally upright wall portion of the shopping cartbasket.

In order that those skilled in the art will fully understand theversatility of the present invention and its equivalents, additionalpreferred embodiments have been shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The embodimentin FIG. 6A shall be discussed first.

An accessory 80 illustrates a work surface or support surface inclinedat an angle to a wall portion 15 as in platform 104. The accessory 80 isshown supported by the wall portion 15 of a display structure 17. Thesupporting structure and elements of the accessory 80 are substantiallysimilar to those shown in the shopping cart accessory 10. It will beunderstood that the platform 104 could be oriented either generallyhorizontal or at an angle other than that shown in FIG. 6A, perhaps foruse with a different style display, for example, or as shown in FIG. 6B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B the support of the accessory 80 doesnot limit the present invention to any particular design. For theaccessory itself, whether it be intended for use on a shopping cart, adisplay or a suitable structure supported by an individual, for example,a store employee taking inventory, stocking shelves or pricing stock, inwhich instances the platform 16 or 62 or 104 could be expanded in sizeto support lists of products, inventory lists, or calculators. As oneexample, a store employee could carry a clip including a generallyupright wall portion attached to a belt or shoulder strap with theaccessory supported on the wall portion due to the cantilever support ofthe platform on the wall portion.

A variation of FIGS. 1-3 is shown in FIG. 8 and identified by referencecharacter 10a. Like reference characters refer to like or correspondingelements. The variation provides an illustration of a modification inthe supporting member arrangement. Referring first to FIG 8, an L-shapedsupporting member 32a depends from the bottom or lower surface of theplatform 16. The relationship between supporting members 32a and 34 isequivalent to the relationship between supporting members 32 and 34 inFIGS. 1-3 and the supporting members 76 and 78 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Another shopping cart attachment 210 described hereinafter is shown inFIGS. 9 and 11. It should be noted that this embodiment and anotherembodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and described hereinafter illustratehow overall appearance of the accessory of the present invention can bemodified while still providing the structure necessary to support theaccessory on the general upright wall portion of the shopping cartbasket or display structure or similar structure, for example, as shownin FIGS. 6A and 6B and described above.

The attachment 210 includes a support means 216 for supporting one ormore items such as a note pad or calculator. A plurality of generallyrigid legs depend from the support means. A channel means 240 providessupport for the shopping cart attachment 210 on the sidewall of ashopping cart. The channel means 240 is defined by a combination of legsand support means 216. The channel means provides a plurality of contactpoints between the channel means and the shopping cart basket so as toreactively support the shopping cart attachment 210 towards either aninside or an outside direction with respect to the basket. It istherefore provided that of the shopping cart attachment of the presentinvention is a function of a moment resulting from the contact betweenthe channel means and the basket brought about by the weight of theaccessory cantilevered out from the generally upright wall portion ofthe shopping cart basket or similar structure.

As specifically shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 through 11 theshopping cart attachment 210 includes the support means 216 such as aplatform, a base 218. The first leg 220 depends from an edge 221 of theplatform 216. A second leg 222 extends from an the platform 216 to thebase 218. The second leg 222 is inwardly spaced from the first leg 220.

A slot 234 is defined by the first leg 220, platform 216 and the secondleg 222. The slot 234 supports the shopping cart attachment 210 on aplastic shopping cart 214 as shown in dashed outline in FIG. 10.

The third leg 224 extends from the platform 216 to the base 218. Thethird leg 224 is inwardly spaced from the second leg 222. A first closedaperture 236 is defined by the second leg 222, the third leg 224, theplatform 216 and the base 218.

A fourth leg 226 extends from the platform 216 to the base 218. Thefourth leg 226 is spaced apart from the third leg 224 as shown in thedrawings.

A second closed aperture 238 is defined by the third leg 224, the fourthleg 226, the platform 216 and the base 218.

A fifth leg 228 depends from the platform 216. The fifth leg 228 isinwardly spaced from an opposing edge 229 of the platform.

A sixth leg 230 depends from the opposing edge 229. A wall 232 extendsbetween the fifth leg 228 and the sixth leg 230. A channel 240 isdefined by the base 218, the fourth leg 226, the platform 216, the fifthleg 228, the wall 232 and the sixth leg 230. The channel 240 provides aplurality of contact points 290, 292, or 294 for supporting the shoppingcart attachment 210 on a metal wire formed wall 12 of the wire shoppingcart. An aperture 242 can be formed during the an extrusion process.

Upstanding, opposing wall members 248 and 250 can be provided forremovably holding a notepad 302 as shown in FIG. 10. An insert 256 canbe provided for removably holding a writing instrument, such as a pencil(not shown).

The shopping cart attachment 210 receives the vertical wire support 252and horizontal top rod 254 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Another embodiment of the present invention having a modifiedcross-section is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and includes another shoppingcart attachment embodiment 261. This embodiment includes anotherplatform 262, one leg 264, another leg 266, and an intermediate leg 268.An angle leg 270 depends from the bottom of platform 262. A slot 272 isformed between legs 264 and 268 for receiving the upper edge of aplastic shopping cart 214 as previously described.

Formed at the opposing edge of shopping cart attachment 261 is onechannel 274 and another channel 276. The one channel 274 is partiallyformed by vertical surface 278 and horizontal surface 280. The shoppingcart attachment 261 receives the vertical wire support 252 andhorizontal top rod 254 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

The contact points react against the shopping cart or other structuredue to the cantilevered weight of the accessory. At least up to thebreaking point of the accessory material, the more weight the tighterthe purchase of the accessory. This applies to the metal shopping cartand the plastic shopping cart. The weight or force of writing on thenotepad tends to increase the stability of the accessory, therebyproviding the shopper with a stable, flat platform on which to write.

Upwardly extending from platform 262 is one sidewall 282 and anothersidewall 284. One groove 286 and another groove 288 are formed in thesidewall for generally receiving the backing portion of a typical noteor scratch pad. It will be clear from the drawings and from thespecification that the contact points 296, 298 or 300 are provided inthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 13, contact points 90 and92 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, contact points 96 and 98 in theembodiment of FIGS. 4, 5 and contact points 90a, 92a in the embodimentof FIG. 8.

Typical shopping cart styles, dimension and operation of the accessoryof the present invention will now be described.

A typical shopping cart is constructed of either metal wire or rods orit is constructed from plastic. The metal wire or rod cart is typicallyconstructed with round metal wire having a diameter 0.120" including agenerally upright portion 252. In most metal shopping carts a horizontaltop rod 254 having a diameter 0.310" or less extends around the top tobrace and generally reinforce the vertical rods. Some cart styles alsoinclude additional horizontal rods (not shown). The upper carryingportion of the cart with its vertical and horizontal rods is usuallysupported by a lower framework (not shown) which is in turn mounted onfour casters.

The other style of shopping cart that also sees significant use is theplastic shopping cart. The typical plastic shopping cart is constructedwith a plastic basket having a generally upright portion 14 or 214having a thickness 0.500" supported by a lower framework. The framework(not shown) is usually mounted on four casters (not shown). It will beunderstood that the number of casters and the details of the lowerframework of either style of shopping cart can and does vary.

Use of the accessory of the present invention on the plastic shoppingcart is readily accommodated by use of slot 40, 41, 72, 234, 240 or 272.The accessory fits over the top edge 38 of the plastic shopping cart 14as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The inclusion of slot 40, 41, 72, 234,240 or 272 greatly increases the usefulness of the accessory to theuser. The accessory can be taken from store to store notwithstanding thestyle of shopping cart provided.

The platform (16, 62, 216, 262 or 104) is cantilevered out from thegenerally upright portion 252 of the shopping cart or wall portion 112of member 114 s shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. It will be understood that dueto the cantilever the weight of the accessory is transferred from theaccessory to the generally upright portion 252, or 112 through thesupporting abutment of the supporting members 32 and 34, 76 and 78, 230,232 and 234, 266 and 278, or 106, 106a. The horizontal top rod 254, 110or 110a can face either direction as shown in the drawing figures.

Two important dimensions will now be discussed. A dimension "X"identifies a first distance that is not less than the width of thegenerally upright portion 252 (for example 0.120 inches for a typicalwire shopping cart) or wall portion 112 of display 17. A dimension "Y"identifies a second distance that is not less than the diameter of thetop horizontal rod 254 or a combined distance of any additional cartstructure that must pass through, such as the generally upright wallstructure (for example 0.310 inches as a minimum or a combined distanceof 0.430 inches) or upper edge 110 or 110a of wall portion 15.

As described above the accessory is removably attachable on a variety ofstructures including shopping carts of either wire or plastic basketconstruction. The accessory, when used with a shopping cart can bemounted with the platform 16 to the inside or the outside of the cart,or the right side or the left side of the basket, thereby providingconvenience for the shopper and for either right handed or left handedindividuals. The accessory can be mounted as described in view of thefact that channels 42, 74, 240, 274, 120 or 121 are provided forreceiving the top rod 254, 110 or 110a.

Numerous embodiments have been shown and described in order to clarifyhow the overall appearance of any one accessory can be modified to suitproduction requirements or aesthetic tastes while still providing thestructure necessary to support the accessory as intended. Some of thevarious modifications will now be discussed.

The embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 represents apreferred production prototype. This embodiment provides a multipleattachment or mounting system as shown in the drawing figures anddescribed in detail hereinabove. The accessory 10 can be attached, forexample, to the generally upright wall portion of the metal shoppingcart 12. Attachment of the accessory 10 to the shopping cart 12 isindependent of the diameter of the top horizontal rod 254 with respectto this embodiment. This embodiment can be mounted to either side ofupright portion 252, thereby accommodating shopping cart constructionshaving the top horizontal rod 254 to either the inside or the outside ofthe cart's basket. Thus, both right-handed shoppers and left-handedshoppers will find the accessory easy and convenient to use.Furthermore, two channels 40 and 41 are provided that will accept theplastic cart 14. The channel 40, as shown in the drawings, FIG. 1, doesprovide a deeper penetration of the plastic cart 14 and may provide amore stable attachment of the accessory to the cart.

Another embodiment shown and described in FIG. 8 represents anotherpreferred production prototype. The embodiment of FIG. 8 also provides amultiple attachment or mounting system as shown and described in detail,hereinabove. The overall height of the embodiment of FIG. 8 has beenreduced with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. Typically, it isbelieved that the thickness or height of the embodiment of FIGS. 8-13can be reduced by approximately 25% with respect to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5. The height reduction can be accomplished by modifying supportmember 32 as shown generally by support member 32a. It should be noted,however, that the mounting or attachment of the accessory becomesdependent in one mounting direction upon the combined diameter of thehorizontal to rod 254 and the vertical rod 252. That is, if the twodimensions, the diameter of the vertical rods and diameter of thehorizontal top rod 254 is greater in magnitude than the "Y" dimension,then the accessory 10a can be attached to the shopping cart basket withthe horizontal top rod 254 adjacent only leg 26.

The "locking" type attachment of an accessory 350 of the presentinvention to a generally upright wall portion or structure 352 will nowbe generally described with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 14. Theaccessory 350 is attached to the generally upright wall portion orstructure 352 in a multi-step movement. First, the accessory 350 is heldat an angle with respect to the generally upright wall portion 352 andthen the top of the wall portion or structure is inserted ("A") betweensupporting members 354 and 356 (through the gap having a dimension "Y').

Then, once a horizontal top rod member 358 goes through the gap "Y", theaccessory 350 is dropped in an arc ("B") to bring a platform portion 360into a desired position (e.g., horizontal as in FIGS. 1-3 or at an angleas in FIGS. 6A, 6B). An additional movement is required with respect tothe embodiments generally conforming to FIGS. 1-68. The additionalmovement is required when the horizontal top rod member 358 is facing oradjacent depending leg 362. The additional movement consists generallyof translation of the accessory 350 to the right (as shown, for example,in FIG. 3).

The accessory is now "locked" on the shopping cart basket or otherstructure 352 as hereinafter briefly described. It will be understoodthat one aspect of the accessory being "locked" on to the cart orstructure is that it, the accessory being "locked" on to the cart orstructure is that it, the accessory, cannot be knocked off or easilydislodged from the cart or structure since a reverse of the attachmentsteps is required to remove the accessory. Thus, while an accidentalbump may move or jiggle the accessory, it is highly unlikely that itwill actually be knocked off.

If will be understood that the configuration of the supporting membersin subject to the modifications previously described with respect toreducing the overall height of the accessory of the present invention.The "locking" type attachment of the accessory 10a of the presentinvention will now be generally described with reference to FIG. 8. Ifthe accessory is to be attached with the top horizontal rod 254 adjacentthe leg 26, then the accessory need only be lowered down on to thegenerally upright wall structure 252 as shown dashed in FIG. 8. If theaccessory is to be attached with the top horizontal rod 254 adjacent theintermediate leg 24, then the accessory is first lowered on to thegenerally upright wall structure 252, next the accessory is moved to theleft (relative to the view in FIG. 8) and finally, the accessory isagain lowered until the "locking" relationship is obtained as shown inFIG. 8. In this manner the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 8is also "locked" in position.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is typically approximately 3 inches wide andapproximately 1 inch thick. The length can vary. If an extrusion processis used to manufacture the accessory in plastic, then the desired lengthcan be readily cut from the extrusion. The dimensions are such that theaccessory can be easily carried, for example, in the shopper's hand,pocket or purse. Furthermore, manufacturing the accessory from plasticcan provide a slight flexibility that can be advantageous in cases wherethe dimensions of the components of the cart or other structure areslightly larger or the accessory tolerances are on the low side, orboth, since the flexibility will provide an amount of give, therebyallowing attachment of the accessory as desired.

The accessory mounts on wire shopping carts, plastic shopping carts,wall portions of displays or can be mounted to be carried byindividuals. The accessory configuration is independent of the overallstructure to which it is removably attached if that structure contains agenerally upright portion, e.g., vertical metal wire portion 252, orwall portion 112. The accessory's stability is a result of thecantilevered weight of the accessory bearing on the structure in abutingrelation to the supporting members.

The embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 9 and10 include a plurality of slots or channels 44, 46, or 244, 246 formedin the base portion 18 or 218, respectively. The channels (it should benoted that one channel would suffice or a number of channels, more thantwo (2), as well) receive a support means 60 for supporting the shoppingcart accessory when not attached to the shopping cart. The support meansin one preferred embodiment consists of magnetic strips 59 in thechannels. A magnetic plate member may be suitably located, for example,in a kitchen to hold the shopping cart accessory for storage when not inuse as shown in FIG. 7. It will be understood that the magnetic stripscan also be used to mount the accessory on a refrigerator 58, stove orother metal surface. Similarly, in another preferred embodiment VELCROstrips are received by the channels. A mating piece of VELCRO may besuitably located. It will be understood that the channels are preferredif it is desired to flush-mount the accessory for storage.Alternatively, the magnetic strips or VELCRO strips could be attached tothe bottom of base portion 18 or 218, however, this would expose them topossible damage during normal use of the accessory.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 and first to FIG. 1 a series ofholes 410, 412, 414, 416 are drilled through the lower part of theplastic extrusion. The holes are defined by depending legs 20,22, 24,and 26. These holes define a channel 418 for receiving a pencil or pen420 for integral storage during either use or storage of the shoppingcart accessory. The channel is shown generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the accessory 10 thereby providing easy access tothe pen or pencil for either a right handed or left handed person.

The holes will be located such that the channel receives the pencil orpen for storage while the accessory 10 is mounted on a wire cart.

In operation, the pencil or pen 420 is preferably held in place byfriction. Preferably, the holes should be only slightly larger than thediameter of a pencil or pen intended to be held or stored therein. Apencil or pen can also be held in place by mounting compressible members422, 424, 426, or 428 such as rubber or other similar slightlycompressible friction developing material on any or all of members 19 asillustrated in FIG. 1. The material should be cut to sufficientthickness to contact the pencil or pen and so as to hold it in positionduring storage.

Preferably, the channel will be located at one end of accessory 10 inthe general proximity of a metal clip 430 mounted, fastened, riveted orotherwise attached to platform 16. In a preferred embodiment, the clipis spring-biased so as to hold a note-pad or the like on platform 16 ofthe accessory 10. However, it will be understood that the channel can belocated along the length of the accessory as desired. Although notshown, it will be understood that several channels can be drilled toaccommodate more than one style of writing instrument.

In a preferred embodiment the channel is partially drilled into part ofthe member 32, for example, as indicated at 432. In fact, the drillingof the hole intentionally grooves member 32 and these grooves 434provide a frictional surface for holding the pen or pencil in thechannel either alone or in combination with compressible members. Itwill be understood that the accessory can be positioned on the shoppingcart such that pen or pencil storage will not interfere with verticalwire member 436.

Reference to FIG. 4 illustrates a channel formed in the accessory forstoring a pen or a pencil 438 in a similar fashion to that shown inpreceding FIGS. 1 and 2.

Not all metal wire shopping carts have vertical wire members of the samediameter. Often, a shopping cart has a number of larger diametervertical wire members spaced apart a particular distance. If theaccessory is shorter than the distance between larger diameter verticalwire members, then all of the vertical wires on which the accessory lockor are otherwise supported are the same diameter.

In order to accommodate the larger diameter vertical wire members,particularly for longitudinally longer embodiments, there can beprovided a slot as illustrated in the drawings and further describedherein. Referring to FIG. 3 a larger diameter vertical member 440 isaccommodated by a slot 442. In FIG. 5 a larger diameter vertical member444 is received by a slot 446 in member 70. Similarly, in FIG. 4 member444 is received by a slot 448 in member 76. Referring back to FIG. 2, aslot 450 also receives vertical member 440 when the accessory 10 ispositioned on the other side of the shopping cart basket.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, it will be understood that a largerdiameter vertical member 452 or 454 is received by either slots 456 or458 or slots 460 or 462 as illustrated and required. The slots describedhereinabove for all of the various drawing figures typically have anarcuate or semicircular perimeter.

From the foregoing description those skilled in the art will appreciatethat all aspects of the present invention are realized.

It will be understood that although numerous embodiments have been shownother variations are possible. A calculator can be used in lieu of thenotepad (see FIG. 1).

Other modifications may be made to the embodiments illustrated anddescribed without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is notintended that the scope of this invention be limited to a particularembodiment. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined bythe following claims and their equivalents.

What I claim is:
 1. A substantially rigid shopping cart accessory for ashopping cart having generally upright side wall portions and at leastone top rim rod, comprising:(a) a work area for use by a shopper withrespect to a shopping trip; (b) a generally horizontal supporting memberfor abutting engagement with a generally upright portion of a shoppingcart and providing supporting abutment below the top rim rod and againstthe generally upright side wall portion of the shopping cart, the onegenerally horizontal supporting member connected to the work area andsubstantially proximate a side wall portion, whereby the generallyhorizontal support member tends to resist any rotational torque effectdue to a moment arm resulting from a cantilever support of the accessorymounted on the cart side wall; (c) another generally horizontalsupporting member for abutting engagement with the generally uprightside wall portion of the shopping cart and providing opposing supportingabutment at a position below the top rim rod and further below the othergenerally horizontal member against the generally upright side wallportion of the shopping cart, the one and the other supporting membersof the accessory spaced apart generally horizontally a first distanceequal to or greater than the width of the generally upright side wallportion of the shopping cart, and generally vertically a second distanceequal to or greater than the combined width of the generally uprightportion of the shopping cart and any additional cart structure receivedthereby that must be passed between the one and the other supportingmember in order to removably attach the shopping cart accessory to theshopping cart while maintaining the shopping cart accessory work area ina relatively perpendicular relationship with the vertical side wall,independent of whether the shopping cart accessory is mounted inside oroutside a basket portion of the shopping cart, the other supportingmember connected to the work area, whereby, the reaction resulting fromthe cantilever between the supporting members and received portion ofthe shopping cart provide support for the cantilevered weight of theshopping cart accessory and thereby restrain the shopping cart accessoryremovably in place on the generally upright side wall portion of theshopping cart.
 2. A cart accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein:(d)a substantially flat base portion is located at a distal end of onesupporting leg on the work area; (e) another substantially flat baseportion is located at another distal end of another supporting leg onthe work area; and (f) a magnetic strip member associated with asupporting leg distal end flat base portion.
 3. A shopping cartaccessory as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a channel forremovably receiving a writing instrument.
 4. A shopping cart accessoryas set forth in claim 3 wherein a friction member is supported by aportion of the accessory and the friction member acts to maintain thewriting instrument in place in storage in the accessory.
 5. A shoppingcart accessory as set forth in claim 3 wherein a grooved portion isdefined by the channel and the grooved portion increases the frictionsupporting the writing instrument in storage in the accessory.
 6. Ashopping cart accessory as set forth in claim 1 further includingsupporting members which include an arcuate or semicircular slot for alarge diameter vertical wire member such that the large diameter wiredoes not interfere with removably supporting the accessory on theshopping cart.
 7. A substantially rigid shopping cart attachmentcomprising:(a) support means for supporting at least one item, (b) aplurality of generally rigid legs depending from the support means, (c)channel means providing support for the shopping cart attachment on agenerally vertical side wall of a basket of a shopping cart, the channelmeans defined by a combination of legs and support means substantiallyproximate a side portion of the support means, the channel meansreceiving a portion of the shopping cart basket and providing aplurality of contact points between the channel means and the shoppingcart basket and including a horizontal supporting member, spaced fromthe work area and within the channel means such that the reactionbetween the channel means and received portion of the shopping cartprovide support for the shopping cart attachment towards either aninside of an outside portion of the basket, wherein support of theshopping cart attachment is at least partly a function or a reaction toa moment arm resulting from the contact between the channel means andthe received portion of the shopping cart basket.
 8. A shopping cartattachment comprising:(a) a platform; (b) a first leg depending from anedge of the platform; (c) a generally T-shaped leg depending from theplatform the generally T-shaped leg inwardly spaced from the first leg,(d) a slot defined by the first leg, platform, and opposing T-section,the slot supporting the shopping cart attachment on a shopping cartwithout a top rim rod construction; (e) another generally T-shaped legdepending from the platform and inwardly spaced from the one T-shapedleg; (f) a second leg depending from an opposing edge of the platformthe second leg spaced apart from the other generally T-shaped leg; (g) awall extending generally horizontal and inward from the second leg; (h)an upper channel defined by the second leg, the platform, and thegenerally horizontal wall; and (i) a lower channel defined by the secondleg, generally horizontal wall, and the second T-shaped leg, includingthe T-portion, whereby the upper channel and the lower channel, thegenerally horizontal wall, and the opposing T-shaped portion provide aplurality of contact points for supporting the shopping cart attachmenton either a wire shopping cart or the shopping cart without the top rimrod construction.
 9. The shopping cart attachment as set forth in claim8, wherein:(j) the horizontal wall, the upper channel and the lowerchannel provide a locking system; and (k) the horizontal wall, the upperchannel and the lower channel prevent the shopping cart attachment frombeing accidentally dislodged from the shopping cart, wherein removal ofthe shopping cart attachment requires a plurality of sequentialmovements of the attachment.
 10. A substantially rigid shopping cartaccessory for a shopping cart having generally upright side wallportions and at least one top rim rod, comprising:(a) a work area foruse by a shopper with respect to a shopping trip; (b) a generallyhorizontal supporting member for abutting engagement with a generallyupright portion of a shopping cart and providing supporting abutmentbelow the top rim rod and against the generally upright side wallportion of the shopping cart, the one generally horizontal supportingmember connected to the work area and substantially proximate a sidewall portion, whereby the generally horizontal support member tends toresist any rotational torque effect due to a moment arm resulting from acantilever support of the accessory mounted on the cart side wall; (c)another generally horizontal supporting member for abutting engagementwith the generally upright side wall portion of the shopping cart andproviding opposing supporting abutment at a position below the top rimrod and further below the other generally horizontal member against thegenerally upright side wall portion of the shopping cart, the one andthe other supporting members of the accessory spaced apart generallyhorizontally a first distance equal to or greater than the width of thegenerally upright side wall portion of the shopping cart, and generallyvertically a second distance equal to or greater than the combined widthof the generally upright portion of the shopping cart and any additionalcart structure received thereby that must be passed between the one andthe other supporting member in order to removably attach the shoppingcart accessory to the shopping cart while maintaining the shopping cartaccessory work area in a relatively perpendicular relationship with thevertical side wall, independent of whether the shopping cart accessoryis mounted inside or outside a basket portion of the shopping cart, theother supporting member connected to the work area, whereby, thereaction resulting from the cantilever between the supporting membersand received portion of the shopping cart provide support for thecantilevered weight of the shopping cart accessory and thereby restrainthe shopping cart accessory removably in place on the generally uprightside wall portion of the shopping cart; (d) the work area including aplatform with at least two opposing edges; and (e) a plurality of sidewalls extending generally upwardly from the opposing edges of theplatform, (f) the side walls are spaced apart so as to provide a surfaceto mount a calculator for the convenient use of the shopper.
 11. Asubstantially rigid shopping cart accessory for a shopping cart havinggenerally upright side wall portions and at least one top rim rod,comprising:(a) a work area for use by a shopper with respect to ashopping trip; (b) a generally horizontal supporting member for abuttingengagement with a generally upright portion of a shopping cart andproviding supporting abutment below the top rim rod and against thegenerally upright side wall portion of the shopping cart, the onegenerally horizontal supporting member connected to the work area andsubstantially proximate a side wall portion, whereby the generallyhorizontal support member tends to resist any rotational torque effectdue to a moment arm resulting from a cantilever support of the accessorymounted on the cart side wall; (c) another generally horizontalsupporting member for abutting engagement with the generally uprightside wall portion of the shopping cart and providing opposing supportingabutment at a position below the top rim rod and further below the othergenerally horizontal member against the generally upright side wallportion of the shopping cart, the one and the other supporting membersof the accessory spaced apart generally horizontally a first distanceequal to or greater than the width of the generally upright side wallportion of the shopping cart, and generally vertically a second distanceequal to or greater than the combined width of the generally uprightportion of the shopping cart and any additional cart structure receivedthereby that must be passed between the one and the other supportingmember in order to removably attach the shopping cart accessory to theshopping cart while maintaining the shopping cart accessory work area ina relatively perpendicular relationship with the vertical side wall,independent of whether the shopping cart accessory is mounted inside oroutside a basket portion of the shopping cart, the other supportingmember connected to the work area, whereby, the reaction resulting fromthe cantilever between the supporting members and received portion ofthe shopping cart provide support for the cantilevered weight of theshopping cart accessory and thereby restrain the shopping cart accessoryremovably in place on the generally upright side wall portion of theshopping cart; (d) the work area including a platform with at least twoopposing edges; and (e) a plurality of side walls extending generallyupwardly from the opposing edges of the platform (f) a slot defined byone side wall; and (g) another and opposing slot defined by the otherside wall.
 12. The shopping cart accessory as set forth in claim 11,wherein:(h) the opposing slots removably receive and support a notepadbetween the side walls for the convenient use of the shopper.
 13. Theshopping cart accessory as set forth in claim 11, further comprising acalculator for the convenient use of the shopper.
 14. A substantiallyrigid shopping cart accessory for a shopping cart having generallyupright side wall portions and at least one top rim rod, comprising:(a)a work area for use by a shopper with respect to a shopping trip; (b) agenerally horizontal supporting member for abutting engagement with agenerally upright portion of a shopping cart and providing supportingabutment below the top rim rod and against the generally upright sidewall portion of the shopping cart, the one generally horizontalsupporting member connected to the work area and substantially proximatea side wall portion, whereby the generally horizontal support membertends to resist any rotational torque effect due to a moment armresulting from a cantilever support of the accessory mounted on the cartside wall; (c) another generally horizontal supporting member forabutting engagement with the generally upright side wall portion of theshopping cart and providing opposing supporting abutment at a positionbelow the top rim rod and further below the other generally horizontalmember against the generally upright side wall portion of the shoppingcart, the one and the other supporting members of the accessory spacedapart generally horizontally a first distance equal to or greater thanthe width of the generally upright side wall portion of the shoppingcart, and generally vertically a second distance equal to or greaterthan the combined width of the generally upright portion of the shoppingcart and any additional cart structure received thereby that must bepassed between the one and the other supporting member in order toremovably attach the shopping cart accessory to the shopping cart whilemaintaining the shopping cart accessory work area in a relativelyperpendicular relationship with the vertical side wall, independent ofwhether the shopping cart accessory is mounted inside or outside abasket portion of the shopping cart, the other supporting memberconnected to the work area, whereby, the reaction resulting from thecantilever between the supporting members and received portion of theshopping cart provide support for the cantilevered weight of theshopping cart accessory and thereby restrain the shopping cart accessoryremovably in place on the generally upright side wall portion of theshopping cart; (d) the horizontal support members are spaced apart adistance measured generally parallel to the side wall and the horizontalsupport members provide a locking system; and (e) the horizontal supportmembers further including a substantially horizontal lip memberextending into a side wall receiving channel and preventing the shoppingcart accessory from being accidentally dislodged from the side wall,wherein removal of the shopping cart accessory requires a plurality ofsequential movements of the accessory.
 15. A substantially rigidshopping cart accessory for a shopping cart having generally uprightside wall portions and at least one top rim rod, comprising:(a) a workarea for use by a shopper with respect to a shopping trip; (b) agenerally horizontal supporting member for abutting engagement with agenerally upright portion of a shopping cart and providing supportingabutment below the top rim rod and against the generally upright sidewall portion of the shopping cart, the one generally horizontalsupporting member connected to the work area and substantially proximatea side wall portion, whereby the generally horizontal support membertends to resist any rotational torque effect due to a moment armresulting from a cantilever support of the accessory mounted on the cartside wall; (c) another generally horizontal supporting member forabutting engagement with the generally upright side wall portion of theshopping cart and providing opposing supporting abutment at a positionbelow the top rim rod and further below the other generally horizontalmember against the generally upright side wall portion of the shoppingcart, the one and the other supporting members of the accessory spacedapart generally horizontally a first distance equal to or greater thanthe width of the generally upright side wall portion of the shoppingcart, and generally vertically a second distance equal to or greaterthan the combined width of the generally upright portion of the shoppingcart and any additional cart structure received thereby that must bepassed between the one and the other supporting member in order toremovably attach the shopping cart accessory to the shopping cart whilemaintaining the shopping cart accessory work area in a relativelyperpendicular relationship with the vertical side wall, independent ofwhether the shopping cart accessory is mounted inside or outside abasket portion of the shopping cart, the other supporting memberconnected to the work area, whereby, the reaction resulting from thecantilever between the supporting members and received portion of theshopping cart provide support for the cantilevered weight of theshopping cart accessory and thereby restrain the shopping cart accessoryremovably in place on the generally upright side wall portion of theshopping cart; (d) a channel provided generally below the work areaproviding for shopping accessory support on a shopping cart without thetop rim rod.